Yorkshire Water has been fined after causing pollution in Foss Dyke near York. The company failed to fix a broken backup pump at a sewage pumping station, which led to sewage spilling into the water. This illegal discharge harmed the environment and broke the law. The case was handled by York Magistrates’ Court on 30 May.
What Happened at the Sewage Pumping Station?
The problem started because the backup pump at Fossbridge Sewage Pumping Station was broken for five months. Yorkshire Water knew about the issue but did not fix it, even though it was checked many times during maintenance. The pump should have been repaired within 24 hours. Because of this, sewage leaked into Foss Dyke, which is against the rules.
Why Is This a Problem?
Sewage pumping stations move waste water to treatment plants. If they do not work properly, sewage can spill into rivers and streams, polluting the environment. Under the environmental permit, discharging sewage into water is only allowed in emergencies like a mechanical failure, and must be fixed quickly. The broken pump caused sewage to flow into the river, damaging water quality.
Details of the Incident
On 5 October 2017, Yorkshire Water found the backup pump’s inlet pipe was blocked, stopping it from working. Even though this was recorded, repairs were delayed. On 12 March 2018, alarms showed sewage was being discharged into Foss Dyke. The company blamed heavy rain but did not visit the site to check. Two days later, the public reported sewage leaking from the station.
Tests showed high ammonia levels in the water, proving pollution. Yorkshire Water eventually fixed the pump and stopped the spill, but further discharges happened due to problems with the main pump and tanker transport.
What Was the Court’s Decision?
Yorkshire Water pleaded guilty to two offences: illegally polluting Foss Dyke and failing to maintain the backup pump. The company was fined and ordered to pay £14,028.65 in costs plus a £170 victim surcharge. The Environment Agency said they will keep monitoring water companies to prevent pollution.
Advice for the Public
If anyone sees signs of pollution, like sewage in rivers, they should report it immediately to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline at 0800 807060.
This case shows the importance of water companies properly maintaining their equipment to protect the environment. Failing to act quickly on repairs can lead to illegal pollution and harm wildlife and communities. The government and Environment Agency remain focused on making sure companies follow the rules to keep rivers and streams clean.
